The oral tradition of story telling is unique to the African culture. While the continent is typically referred to regionally (North, West, East, South) many of the same story ideas have passed from coast to coast which is truly incredible. The African folk tale stories often explain the reasons for particular aspects of nature, for example, the stripes on zebras or the skinny waist of a spider. Sometimes the stories will tell lessons about generosity and the cost of greed. All of the stories employ the features of the African landscape and are straight forward in their message. For your assignment, I would like for you to find an African folk tale story and copy that story onto your discussion post. Afterwards, include a paragraph that will explain one of the following ideas:
1. What do the characters in this story value?
2. How can these stories compare to European short stories (Grimm's Fairy Tales or Mother Goose's Stories)
3. Why do you believe this would be an important story to share with young children?
Folk Tales
The oral tradition of story telling is unique to the African culture. While the continent is typically referred to regionally (North, West, East, South) many of the same story ideas have passed from coast to coast which is truly incredible. The African folk tale stories often explain the reasons for particular aspects of nature, for example, the stripes on zebras or the skinny waist of a spider. Sometimes the stories will tell lessons about generosity and the cost of greed. All of the stories employ the features of the African landscape and are straight forward in their message. For your assignment, I would like for you to find an African folk tale story and copy that story onto your discussion post. Afterwards, include a paragraph that will explain one of the following ideas:1. What do the characters in this story value?
2. How can these stories compare to European short stories (Grimm's Fairy Tales or Mother Goose's Stories)
3. Why do you believe this would be an important story to share with young children?
Nigerian Folk Tales
South African Folk Tales
Zulu Folk Tales
African Folk Tales from All Regions